BEGIN SUMMARY: MILITARY - FIGHTING MARKEDLY DECLINED
DURING PERIOD 19-20 MARCH. ONLY MAJOR GROUND INCIDENT
WAS LARGE VOLUME OF FRIENDLY ARTILLERY FIRE ON 19 MARCH
SOUTH OF THAKHEK, BUT NOT IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT.
REPORTED ARTILLERY EXPENDITURE ON PREVIOUS DAY WAS ZERO.
RLAF FLEW ONLY 12 T-28 SORTIES. PL AND FRIENDLY FORCES
ARE FRATERNIZING IN FAR NORTHWEST VICINITY MUONG MEUNG.
SOUTHEAST OF THAKHEK, PL LETTER THREATENED RETALIATION
FOR ALLEGED NIBBLING AT " LIBERATED" ZONE, BUT OFFERED TO
MEET AND DISCUSS THE SITUATION. POLITICAL - RLG TABLES
DRAFT PROTOCOLS IN MEETINS OF POLITICAL AND MILITARY RESEARCH
GROUPS. SOVIET AN-2 DID NOT RETURN FROM SAM NEUA, MARCH
21. THAI DEPUTY FORMIN CHARTCHAI CONSULTS WITH RLG
OFFICIALS. END SUMMARY.
1. SECTION I - CEASEFIRE OBSERVANCE
A. MR I: NO SIGNIFICANT GROUND ACTIVITY REPORTED. RLAF
FLEW FOUR T-28 SORTIES ON 20 MARCH, ALL AGAINST SUSPECTED
FIRING POSITIONS INVOLVED IN PREVIOUS SHELLINGS EAST OF
LUANG PRABANG ( REFTEL) . IN HOUA KHONG PROVINCE IN FAR
NORTHWEST, SMALL GROUPS OF FRIENDLY TROOPS HAVE ACCEPTED
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PAGE 03 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
INVITATION OF ENEMY AT MUONG MUENG ( PC 5292) TO VISIT,
UNARMED AND DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.
B. MR II: MILITARY ACTIVITY REMAINED AT LOW LEVEL.
RLAF FLEW NO SORTIES. ON 20 MARCH, TWO MINOR INCIDENTS
OCCURED: ONE, 19 KMS NORTHWEST OF MUONG SOUI WHERE
FRIEDNLY ELEMENT WAS ATTACKED ( NO CASUALTIES); THE OTHER,
IN BOUAM LONG AREA NORTH OF PDJ, WHERE ON CIVILIAN WAS
KILLED IN ENEMY AMBUSH.
C. MR III: ACTION DECREASED MARKEDLY. ONLY MAJOR
INCIDENT WAS FRIEND' S FIRING 135 ARTILLERY ROUNDS, NOT
IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT, INTO VILLAGE/ BRIDGE
AREA ( VE 815114) APPROX 13 KM SOUTH OF THAKHEK DURING
AFTERNOON 19 MARCH ( RESULTS UNKNOWN). ELSEWHERE, THERE
WERE THREE MINOR INCIDENTS, ALL CLASHES : 35 KM NORTHWEST
OF THAKHEK ON 19 MARCH ( NO CASUALTIES), 27 KM SOUTHEAST
OF THAKHEK ON 20 ARCH ( ONE FRIENDLY WIA), 23 KM EAST OF
KENGKOK ON 20 MARCH ( THREE FRIENDLY KIA). RLAF FLEW
EIGHT T-28 SORTIES ON 20 MARCH, FIVE IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS
IN CONTACT VICINITY THAKHEK AND KENGKOK AND THREE AGAINST
ENEMY TROOP CONCENTRATIONS NEAR SCENE OF RECENT FIGHTING
NORTH OF DONG HENE. THERE WERE ALSO TWO AC-47 GUNSHIP
SORTIES NORTHWEST OF THAKHEK AND EAST OF KENGKOK IN
SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT. FRIENDLY FORCES IN VILLAGE
SOME 30 KM SOUTHEAST OF THAKHEK RECEIVED LETTER FROM
PATHET LAO THAT ALLEGED RLG INTRUDED INTO " LIBERATED" AREA,
THREATENED RETALIATION, AND ASKED FOR A MEETING TO DISCUSS
THE SITUATION.
D. MR IV: ONLY GROUND ACTIONS REPORTED IN REGION
WERE THREE SCATTERED MINOR CLASHES ON 19 MARCH JUST
SOUTHWEST OF PAKSONG ( ONE FIRENDLY WIA), APPROX 30 KM
SOUTH OF PAKSE ( NO CASUALTIES). ONLY RLAF ACTIVITY WAS
ONE AC-47 SORTIES IN SUPPORT OF FOREGOING ACTION SOUTH
OF PAKSE DURING NIGHT 19-20 MARCH.
E. MR V: THERE WERE TWO MINOR INCIDENTS, BOTH ON 20 MARCH.
SMALL ELEMENT CLASHED APPROX 45 KM WEST OF VANG VIENG
( NO CASUALTIES). RESUPPLY HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY SMALL- ARMS
FIRE WHILE OPERATING WITH UNITS APPROX 45 KM NORTH OF
PAKSANE ( NO CASUALTIES). RLAF FLEW NO SORTIES.
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PAGE 04 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
F. COUNT OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS: RLG DEFMIN ANNOUNCED
ONE ADDITIONAL ENEMY VIOLATION, BRINGING TOTAL TO 267
AS OF MORNING 18 MARCH. OUR COUNT OF GROUND ACTIONS
INITITATED BY BOTH SIDES SHOWS 61 MAJOR AND 352 MINOR
INCIDENTS THROUGH 17 MARCH.
2. SECTION II - POLITICAL SITUATION
A. MILITARY/ POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUPS MEET: RLG HELD
INITIATIVE IN INTERNAL TALKS BY TABLING ITS DRAFT
MILITARY AND POLITICAL PROTOCOLS IN MEETINS OF MILITARY
AND POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUPS, MARCH 21. GROUPS REPORTEDLY
HELD GENERAL, BUT INCONCLUSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON PROTOCOLS.
LPF UNDERTOOK PRESENT ITS OWN DRAFT MILITARY PROTOCOL AT NEXT
MEETING, DERFERRED TO MARCH 24 BECAUSE OF ARMED FORCES DAY
HOLIDAY MARCH 23. RLG SPOKEMAN SAID THAT ITS POLITICAL
PROTOCOL
DID NOT NEED DISCUSS COALITION GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IN PREVIOUS MEETING AGREEMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN
REACHED ON " ALL BUT A FEW MINOR DETAILS."
B. AN-2 STILL AT SAM NEUA: SOVIET ANTONOV-2 DID NOT
RETURN AS SCHEDULED FROM SAM NEUA TODAY; AND, ACCORDING
AIRPORT AUTHORITIES, IT IS NOW EXPECTED BACK IN VIENTIANE
EITHER MARCH 22 OR 23.
C. VISIT THAI DEPUTY FORNMIN CHARTCHAI: THAI DEPUTY FOREIGN
MINISTER BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARTCHAI CHUNAVAN ARRIVED IN
VIENTIANE MARCH 20 FOR TWP- DAY OFFICIAL VISIT. ACCORDING
TO PRESS REPORTS, CHARTCHAI IN HIS MEETINGS WITH RANKING
RLG OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PRIMIN, WILL DISCUSS THREAT OF
COMMUNIST INVASION ACROSS THAI/ LAO BORDER, AS WELL
AS POST- WAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LAOS.
GODLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** CONFIDENTIAL

Raw content

CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
47/44
ACTION EA-14
INFO OCT-01 EUR-25 NEA-10 ADP-00 SSO-00 NSCE-00 CCO-00
INRE-00 PM-09 H-02 INR-09 L-03 NSC-10 PA-03 RSC-01
PRS-01 SS-14 AID-20 IO-12 DPW-01 T-03 OMB-01 EB-11
RSR-01 /151 W
--------------------- 112757
O R 212235 Z MAR 73
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3181
DIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
AMEMBASSY SAIGON
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
AMEMBASSY WARSAW
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
AMCONSUL UDORN
USDEL FRANCE
USIA WASHDC
SECDEF
DIRNSA FT GG MEADE MD
CINCPAC
CINCUSARPAC HAWAII
CDRUSMACV
COMUSMACTHAI
DEPCHJUSMAGTHAI
CDR USSAG NKP
DEPCDR 7/13 AF
CDR 7 TH RRFS RAMASUN THAI
CDR 7 ACCS KORAT
DODSPECREP BANGKOK
DODSPECREP NKP
CHSPECACTS BKK
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
56 SOW NKP
CDR JCRC NKP
432 TRW UDORN
ARMA/ AIRA/ VTN LAOS
ARMA/ AIRA/ SVK LAOS
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 2102
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y ( TEXT-- PARAGRAPH 1. C)
CINCPAC FOR POLAD; MACV FOR COMMAND CENTER AND J3 P8;
7/13 AF, 432 TRW AND 56 SOW FOR DO/ DI; MACTHAI FOR J2
AND PAO
E. O. 11652: GDS
TAGS: MOPS, PINS, PINT, PFOR, LA
SUBJECT: LAO SITUATION REPORT - MARCH 21
REF: VIENTIANE 2048
BEGIN SUMMARY: MILITARY - FIGHTING MARKEDLY DECLINED
DURING PERIOD 19-20 MARCH. ONLY MAJOR GROUND INCIDENT
WAS LARGE VOLUME OF FRIENDLY ARTILLERY FIRE ON 19 MARCH
SOUTH OF THAKHEK, BUT NOT IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT.
REPORTED ARTILLERY EXPENDITURE ON PREVIOUS DAY WAS ZERO.
RLAF FLEW ONLY 12 T-28 SORTIES. PL AND FRIENDLY FORCES
ARE FRATERNIZING IN FAR NORTHWEST VICINITY MUONG MEUNG.
SOUTHEAST OF THAKHEK, PL LETTER THREATENED RETALIATION
FOR ALLEGED NIBBLING AT " LIBERATED" ZONE, BUT OFFERED TO
MEET AND DISCUSS THE SITUATION. POLITICAL - RLG TABLES
DRAFT PROTOCOLS IN MEETINS OF POLITICAL AND MILITARY RESEARCH
GROUPS. SOVIET AN-2 DID NOT RETURN FROM SAM NEUA, MARCH
21. THAI DEPUTY FORMIN CHARTCHAI CONSULTS WITH RLG
OFFICIALS. END SUMMARY.
1. SECTION I - CEASEFIRE OBSERVANCE
A. MR I: NO SIGNIFICANT GROUND ACTIVITY REPORTED. RLAF
FLEW FOUR T-28 SORTIES ON 20 MARCH, ALL AGAINST SUSPECTED
FIRING POSITIONS INVOLVED IN PREVIOUS SHELLINGS EAST OF
LUANG PRABANG ( REFTEL) . IN HOUA KHONG PROVINCE IN FAR
NORTHWEST, SMALL GROUPS OF FRIENDLY TROOPS HAVE ACCEPTED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
INVITATION OF ENEMY AT MUONG MUENG ( PC 5292) TO VISIT,
UNARMED AND DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.
B. MR II: MILITARY ACTIVITY REMAINED AT LOW LEVEL.
RLAF FLEW NO SORTIES. ON 20 MARCH, TWO MINOR INCIDENTS
OCCURED: ONE, 19 KMS NORTHWEST OF MUONG SOUI WHERE
FRIEDNLY ELEMENT WAS ATTACKED ( NO CASUALTIES); THE OTHER,
IN BOUAM LONG AREA NORTH OF PDJ, WHERE ON CIVILIAN WAS
KILLED IN ENEMY AMBUSH.
C. MR III: ACTION DECREASED MARKEDLY. ONLY MAJOR
INCIDENT WAS FRIEND' S FIRING 135 ARTILLERY ROUNDS, NOT
IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT, INTO VILLAGE/ BRIDGE
AREA ( VE 815114) APPROX 13 KM SOUTH OF THAKHEK DURING
AFTERNOON 19 MARCH ( RESULTS UNKNOWN). ELSEWHERE, THERE
WERE THREE MINOR INCIDENTS, ALL CLASHES : 35 KM NORTHWEST
OF THAKHEK ON 19 MARCH ( NO CASUALTIES), 27 KM SOUTHEAST
OF THAKHEK ON 20 ARCH ( ONE FRIENDLY WIA), 23 KM EAST OF
KENGKOK ON 20 MARCH ( THREE FRIENDLY KIA). RLAF FLEW
EIGHT T-28 SORTIES ON 20 MARCH, FIVE IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS
IN CONTACT VICINITY THAKHEK AND KENGKOK AND THREE AGAINST
ENEMY TROOP CONCENTRATIONS NEAR SCENE OF RECENT FIGHTING
NORTH OF DONG HENE. THERE WERE ALSO TWO AC-47 GUNSHIP
SORTIES NORTHWEST OF THAKHEK AND EAST OF KENGKOK IN
SUPPORT OF TROOPS IN CONTACT. FRIENDLY FORCES IN VILLAGE
SOME 30 KM SOUTHEAST OF THAKHEK RECEIVED LETTER FROM
PATHET LAO THAT ALLEGED RLG INTRUDED INTO " LIBERATED" AREA,
THREATENED RETALIATION, AND ASKED FOR A MEETING TO DISCUSS
THE SITUATION.
D. MR IV: ONLY GROUND ACTIONS REPORTED IN REGION
WERE THREE SCATTERED MINOR CLASHES ON 19 MARCH JUST
SOUTHWEST OF PAKSONG ( ONE FIRENDLY WIA), APPROX 30 KM
SOUTH OF PAKSE ( NO CASUALTIES). ONLY RLAF ACTIVITY WAS
ONE AC-47 SORTIES IN SUPPORT OF FOREGOING ACTION SOUTH
OF PAKSE DURING NIGHT 19-20 MARCH.
E. MR V: THERE WERE TWO MINOR INCIDENTS, BOTH ON 20 MARCH.
SMALL ELEMENT CLASHED APPROX 45 KM WEST OF VANG VIENG
( NO CASUALTIES). RESUPPLY HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY SMALL- ARMS
FIRE WHILE OPERATING WITH UNITS APPROX 45 KM NORTH OF
PAKSANE ( NO CASUALTIES). RLAF FLEW NO SORTIES.
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 04 VIENTI 02102 211749 Z
F. COUNT OF CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS: RLG DEFMIN ANNOUNCED
ONE ADDITIONAL ENEMY VIOLATION, BRINGING TOTAL TO 267
AS OF MORNING 18 MARCH. OUR COUNT OF GROUND ACTIONS
INITITATED BY BOTH SIDES SHOWS 61 MAJOR AND 352 MINOR
INCIDENTS THROUGH 17 MARCH.
2. SECTION II - POLITICAL SITUATION
A. MILITARY/ POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUPS MEET: RLG HELD
INITIATIVE IN INTERNAL TALKS BY TABLING ITS DRAFT
MILITARY AND POLITICAL PROTOCOLS IN MEETINS OF MILITARY
AND POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUPS, MARCH 21. GROUPS REPORTEDLY
HELD GENERAL, BUT INCONCLUSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON PROTOCOLS.
LPF UNDERTOOK PRESENT ITS OWN DRAFT MILITARY PROTOCOL AT NEXT
MEETING, DERFERRED TO MARCH 24 BECAUSE OF ARMED FORCES DAY
HOLIDAY MARCH 23. RLG SPOKEMAN SAID THAT ITS POLITICAL
PROTOCOL
DID NOT NEED DISCUSS COALITION GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IN PREVIOUS MEETING AGREEMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN
REACHED ON " ALL BUT A FEW MINOR DETAILS."
B. AN-2 STILL AT SAM NEUA: SOVIET ANTONOV-2 DID NOT
RETURN AS SCHEDULED FROM SAM NEUA TODAY; AND, ACCORDING
AIRPORT AUTHORITIES, IT IS NOW EXPECTED BACK IN VIENTIANE
EITHER MARCH 22 OR 23.
C. VISIT THAI DEPUTY FORNMIN CHARTCHAI: THAI DEPUTY FOREIGN
MINISTER BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARTCHAI CHUNAVAN ARRIVED IN
VIENTIANE MARCH 20 FOR TWP- DAY OFFICIAL VISIT. ACCORDING
TO PRESS REPORTS, CHARTCHAI IN HIS MEETINGS WITH RANKING
RLG OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PRIMIN, WILL DISCUSS THREAT OF
COMMUNIST INVASION ACROSS THAI/ LAO BORDER, AS WELL
AS POST- WAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LAOS.
GODLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
*** Current Handling Restrictions *** n/a
*** Current Classification *** CONFIDENTIAL